Audio By Carbonatix
The world’s top football players, including Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona’s Neymar Jr., Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Bayern Munich’s Philipp Lahm, are joining forces with global health experts to help raise global awareness in the fight against Ebola.
In a new campaign “11 Against Ebola”, players from some of Europe’s biggest clubs come together to promote preventative measures aimed at communities affected by the Ebola virus.
Using the slogan “Together, we can beat Ebola” and the hashtag #wecanbeatebola, players share 11 simple health messages selected with the help of doctors and health experts from Africa, the World Bank Group and the World Health Organization, among the organizations tackling the outbreak in West Africa.
Each message is amplified through animated films, radio content, banners, posters and photographs of the players.
“It’s inspiring to see the world’s top football players come together to help in the fight against Ebola,” said World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. “By spreading important health messages to children, families, and communities in the Ebola-affected countries, the power of their celebrity will literally help save lives.”
The World Bank Group is mobilizing nearly $1 billion in financing for the countries hardest hit by the Ebola crisis. This includes more than $500 million for the emergency response and to help speed up the deployment of foreign health workers to the countries. An additional $450 million from the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, will enable trade, investment and employment in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
According to the World Health Organization, as of November 9, 2014, a total of 14,098 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) have been reported in six countries. There have been 5,160 deaths. Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have seen the highest number of cases.
“It is so important that we get the right information to those affected by the Ebola outbreak,” said Neymar Jr. “We all hope this positive campaign will improve people’s understanding of the Ebola virus and help us to reduce the chances of it spreading. Let’s all get behind this campaign to help our brothers and sisters in the worst-hit regions. Together, we can beat Ebola.
Latest Stories
-
Strong Day 1 turnout sets tone for Day 2 of Republic Bank-JoyNews Habitat Fair Clinic
19 minutes -
Ghana Army warns new soldiers against social media misuse, uniform abuse
25 minutes -
AMA calls for science-led action to tackle environmental health risks in Accra
38 minutes -
He entered at eight. He is now 16: Ghana’s children growing up in prayer camps
5 hours -
‘Development must not always begin from Accra’ — Anwelle Foundation launched in Jirapa
5 hours -
PKO trio eye victories at Odwira Festival
7 hours -
346 Ghana Navy recruits pass out after 26 weeks of intensive training
7 hours -
Newsfile to discuss EOCO-MP arrest, drug trafficking, speech arrests and $235m water debt
8 hours -
JoyNews gets results as listeners raise GH¢40,000 to help 17-year-old student with cerebral palsy attend SHS
8 hours -
Vice President calls for stronger local pharmaceutical production to reduce medicine imports
8 hours -
The brewing tension at KNUST; Beware the Ides of October….
9 hours -
Health Ministry moves to integrate traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare
9 hours -
550 pupils in Kintampo South get educational lifeline as ‘Seeds of Hope’ reaches farming communities
10 hours -
Opoku Mensah urges Christian Council, House of Chiefs to speak up on democratic freedoms
10 hours -
Teacher unions’ strike: Minority demands immediate payment of teacher arrears, 20% deprived area allowance
10 hours